Romain Vincelot in action for Crawley

At the fans forum on Monday night, head coach Gabriele Cioffi was quizzed about this decision.

He said: "Since I was appointed Romain had an injury to his ankle. It was a bad injury.

"He came back for the Gillingham game in midfield but he was signed to play in defence in a back three. For me, Romain did not fit my philosophy.

"In the back three I want someone like Tom Dallison, Mark Connolly, Joe McNerney, George Francomb, this kind of player. I respect Romain as a professional, but in my opinion in terms of physicality and needs for the squad, he didn't match what I wanted."

One fan asked if he should have played in midfield. Cioffi responded: "I saw him play a couple of year in defence midfield. He had good knowledge of the game but from my point of view, he lost his stamina and dynamism.

"I don't need a player who can talk I need a player who can run. He is a great professional and I wish him all the best."